Morgan Wallen seems to make history on Billboard’s country charts constantly. He is so successful and has claimed so many hits in a relatively short span of time that few acts have managed the kind of career he has already built – and he could still stick around for decades.
Wallen accomplishes a rare showing this frame on the Country Airplay chart. The singer-songwriter trades one champion for another, upping his career total in a meaningful way and managing an exceptionally uncommon feat.
Morgan Wallen Replaces Himself at No. 1
Last week, Wallen sat at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart with “Don’t We,” the latest single from his blockbuster album I’m the Problem. This frame, the same ranking is ruled by “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” his team-up with Ella Langley. Wallen swaps one No. 1 for another – something that has only happened twice before in the history of the rundown.
Tim McGraw Was the First Artist to Do So
Tim McGraw was the first artist to replace himself at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, accomplishing the feat in 2002. He first sat in the highest rung with “Bring On the Rain,” Jo Dee Messina’s hit on which he is featured. Just days later, his own “The Cowboy in Me” pushed that collaboration from the top spot. It would be more than 20 years before someone repeated McGraw’s success.
Morgan Wallen Makes History with Another No. 1 Smash
Wallen became the second artist to replace himself at No. 1 on the Country Airplay ranking just two years ago. He joined Post Malone on his first country smash, “I Had Some Help,” which quickly worked its way to the summit and helped Malone begin his country career. Then, alongside country singer-songwriter Ernest, Wallen tacked on another leader with “Cowgirls.”
Now, Wallen becomes the first artist to replace himself at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart twice, and this week marks only the third time in the history of the tally that one artist has immediately followed one champion with another.
Morgan Wallen Scores His Twenty-Second Country Radio No. 1
Wallen has now racked up a total of 22 leaders on the Country Airplay chart. He stands alone with the eighth-most No. 1 hits ever. He shared that honor last week with Keith Urban and Thomas Rhett, when all three men had accrued 21 smashes that rose all the way to the highest rung. With “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” Wallen breaks out of that tie.
Wallen still sits 11 No. 1s behind all-time leader Kenny Chesney, who is up to 33 champions. Blake Shelton is the only other act with a milestone 30 rulers on the Country Airplay chart.